I love the Kindle, really. But there are some things I don't like about it and some I think I don't like about it.
No touch screen
Not every book is available
Many books, most in fact, are radically overpriced -- not simply cause they suck as most books do but because of the true cost of the digital version of the book
Without good light, it's useless
I still have to plug it in, if rarely, as there is no such thing as wireless power in my world
The latest version, which I do not own, is lighter, cheaper and blacker -- the way I like it
I can't copy and send words, sentences and/or passages that perhaps I would like to incorporate in this site
Submitted by Shane (not verified) on 18 August, 2010 - 11:48.
While I don't have a Kindle, I've been strongly contemplating picking up the 6" Wi-fi only version.
# No touch screen
I don't think this will bother me much. I presume it brings the cost down and I don't see a large benefit to having a touchscreen on a dedicated reading device. I prefer pressing a physical button - or at least a button away from the screen - to turn pages. But it will definitely make browsing the store and library a bit more cumbersome to not be touch-based.
# Not every book is available
This is of course not just a Kindle problem but frustrating nonetheless.
# Many books, most in fact, are radically overpriced -- not simply cause they suck as most books do but because of the true cost of the digital version of the book
While I don't have a Kindle, I do use the PC app. I don't find the books to be radically overpriced. Generally, $9.99 is the price point I look to hit and $14.99 is my limit. I don't believe digital should cost as much as print, but I also don't think it should be radically lower than print. For a mass-market paperback edition at $9.99 print, I would have no problem with a $7.99 price point.
# Without good light, it's useless
How much light do you need? As I said, I'm looking at getting one and would hate to find out you need glaring sunlight or a direct light shining on the screen to read it.
# I still have to plug it in, if rarely, as there is no such thing as wireless power in my world
Well that's an issue for every electronic device, including the iPad, is it not? :)
# The latest version, which I do not own, is lighter, cheaper and blacker -- the way I like it
So this is a bit more about why you hate your Kindle, not the Kindle ;)
# I can't copy and send words, sentences and/or passages that perhaps I would like to incorporate in this site
The new Kindle has Twitter and Facebook sharing built in. How well it works, I have no idea. But you could MacGyver it with a unique Twitter account to receive the passages you want to share. Hopefully more comprehensive sharing will come in future updates/devices.
# Pictures, charts and graphs do not show as well
No comment here.
# It's not an iPad
That's one of the reasons that turns me on to the device. A dedicated, relatively cheap, light machine meant solely for reading. Plus it has a WebKit browser for quick fixes of surfing if necessary.
# The keypad is useless
I played with a Kindle 2 for a few minutes and yes, the keypad was not well thought out. It still isn't in the 3rd-gen, but it seems a little more usable.
Some thoughts on your thoughts
Submitted by Shane (not verified) on 18 August, 2010 - 11:48.While I don't have a Kindle, I've been strongly contemplating picking up the 6" Wi-fi only version.
# No touch screen
I don't think this will bother me much. I presume it brings the cost down and I don't see a large benefit to having a touchscreen on a dedicated reading device. I prefer pressing a physical button - or at least a button away from the screen - to turn pages. But it will definitely make browsing the store and library a bit more cumbersome to not be touch-based.
# Not every book is available
This is of course not just a Kindle problem but frustrating nonetheless.
# Many books, most in fact, are radically overpriced -- not simply cause they suck as most books do but because of the true cost of the digital version of the book
While I don't have a Kindle, I do use the PC app. I don't find the books to be radically overpriced. Generally, $9.99 is the price point I look to hit and $14.99 is my limit. I don't believe digital should cost as much as print, but I also don't think it should be radically lower than print. For a mass-market paperback edition at $9.99 print, I would have no problem with a $7.99 price point.
# Without good light, it's useless
How much light do you need? As I said, I'm looking at getting one and would hate to find out you need glaring sunlight or a direct light shining on the screen to read it.
# I still have to plug it in, if rarely, as there is no such thing as wireless power in my world
Well that's an issue for every electronic device, including the iPad, is it not? :)
# The latest version, which I do not own, is lighter, cheaper and blacker -- the way I like it
So this is a bit more about why you hate your Kindle, not the Kindle ;)
# I can't copy and send words, sentences and/or passages that perhaps I would like to incorporate in this site
The new Kindle has Twitter and Facebook sharing built in. How well it works, I have no idea. But you could MacGyver it with a unique Twitter account to receive the passages you want to share. Hopefully more comprehensive sharing will come in future updates/devices.
# Pictures, charts and graphs do not show as well
No comment here.
# It's not an iPad
That's one of the reasons that turns me on to the device. A dedicated, relatively cheap, light machine meant solely for reading. Plus it has a WebKit browser for quick fixes of surfing if necessary.
# The keypad is useless
I played with a Kindle 2 for a few minutes and yes, the keypad was not well thought out. It still isn't in the 3rd-gen, but it seems a little more usable.